Stansted Airport hopes to double its passenger numbers to around 40-45million per year and generate billions of pounds for the regional economy by developing its existing runway and infrastructure, the Uttlesford transport hub announced this week.

The airport, which unveiled its draft Sustainable Development Plan for the next 10 to 15 years, said it hoped to unlock jobs and economic growth in the region with the creation of new routes and more flights within a “responsible and sustainable” framework.

It has launched a public consultation on the plans with exhibitions taking place across Uttlesford during September and October. The business, which is owned by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), sees considerable growth potential for the airport, even within its single runway structure.

Managing director Andrew Harrison, pictured, said this would be “of enormous value” as the UK strives to develop its global connectivity to support increased trade and investment.

“This plan highlights the vital role that the existing capacity of Stansted’s single runway will play over the next 10-15 years in meeting these challenges, showing how the airport can more than double the number of passengers it serves and provide greater choice and variety for passengers,” he said.

Stansted says existing capacity has the potential to support an extra 10,000 on-site jobs and generate £4.6billion in additional economic benefit. Growth is achievable within agreed noise and air quality limits and existing boundaries, it said, with the “key enabler” of growth in the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor and east London.

Protest group Stop Stansted Expansion welcomed the plan. A spokesman said: “The Sustainable Development Plan has been published as a draft for consultation and we believe there is considerable scope for constructive dialogue with the airport.

“Importantly, the plan is based on Stansted remaining as a single runway airport.”

The plan will help inform MAG’s final recommendations to Government on the contribution that Stansted’s existing capacity will make to meeting demand over the next 10-15 years.

Although the current shortlist of options for new runway capacity does not include Stansted, the Airports Commission has said that the airport is a credible option for a new runway in the period after 2030.

Public exhibitions will be at the following locations:

• September 9, 3-8pm, Hatfield Broad Oak Village Hall

• September 15, 3-8pm, The Swan, Thaxted

• September 17, 3-8pm, Saffron Walden Town Hall

• October 3, 3-8pm, Silver Jubilee Hall, Takeley

• October 16, 4-8pm, Crafton Day Centre, Stansted Mountfitchet

• October 21, 3-8pm, Foakes Hall, Great Dunmow

For more details, visit stanstedairport.com/developmentplan. The consultation runs until November 7.